A projector apparatus includes a light source configured to emit light beams of a plurality of color components, emissions of the light beams being controlled individually, a projection unit configured to form images respectively corresponding to the color components using the light beams from the light source for each frame and to sequentially project the images, a driving unit configured to drive the light source so that the light beams are emitted as light pulses having respectively predetermined pulse widths for a period in which the projection unit projects each of the images, a detector configured to detect deterioration levels of the light source respectively for the color components, and a controller configured to control the pulse widths of the light beams emitted from the light source based on the deterioration levels.
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1. A projector apparatus comprising: a group of light sources source configured to emit light beams of a plurality of color components; a projection unit configured to project an image using the light beams from the group of light sources; a driving unit configured to drive the group of light sources so that the light beams are emitted as light pulses having respective pulse widths for a period in which the projection unit projects the image; a controller configured to control the pulse widths of the light pulses emitted from the group of light sources; and measuring unit configured to measure illumination values of the group of light sources for each of the plurality of color components, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the illumination value for each of the plurality of color components is smaller than a predetermined value; and wherein the controller is configured to narrow the pulse width of a light pulse of a light source in the group of light sources that is determined to have an illumination value that is not smaller than the predetermined value if it is determined that an illumination value of another light source in the group of light sources is smaller than the predetermined value.
A projector displays images using multiple colored light sources (e.g., red, green, blue). A driver circuit controls each light source by emitting light pulses of specific durations (pulse widths). To maintain consistent brightness and color balance as the light sources age and dim, a sensor measures the light output (illumination value) of each color. A controller then compares each color's illumination value to a target value. If one color is dimmer than the target, the controller reduces the pulse width of the brighter colors, compensating for the dimming and maintaining overall image quality.
2. The projector apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the group of light sources comprises light-emitting diodes configured to emit light of red, green, and blue.
The projector apparatus described previously, which projects images using light pulses from multiple colored light sources and adjusts pulse widths based on measured illumination values, specifically uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the red, green, and blue light sources. This configuration benefits from the LEDs' compact size, energy efficiency, and ability to be rapidly switched on and off, enabling precise control of the light pulses. The use of LEDs allows for a more durable and efficient projector system.
3. The projector apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a storage unit configured to store control information for the pulse widths for each of the plurality of color components.
The projector apparatus described previously, which projects images using light pulses from multiple colored light sources and adjusts pulse widths based on measured illumination values, includes a controller with a memory unit. This memory stores pre-calculated or dynamically updated pulse width settings for each color. The controller uses this stored information to determine how to adjust the pulse widths of the light pulses to compensate for variations in light source brightness and maintain color balance over time.
4. The projector apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control the pulse widths so that a total chromaticity of the light beams of the plurality of color components is balanced in one frame.
The projector apparatus described previously, which projects images using light pulses from multiple colored light sources and adjusts pulse widths based on measured illumination values, adjusts the pulse widths of the different colored light pulses to maintain a consistent overall color appearance (chromaticity) in each frame. The controller analyzes the measured illumination values of each color component and dynamically adjusts the pulse widths to ensure that the combined light produces the desired color balance, preventing color shifts caused by uneven light source degradation.
5. The projector apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the driving unit is configured to pulse-drive the group of light sources to present a predetermined number of gradations of colors.
The projector apparatus described previously, which projects images using light pulses from multiple colored light sources and adjusts pulse widths based on measured illumination values, uses the driving circuit to modulate the light sources with varying pulse widths to create a specific number of shades or gradations of each color. This enables the projector to display images with a smooth range of color and brightness, improving the image quality and detail.
6. The projector apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a display unit configured to form an optical image in gradations using the light beams of the plurality of color components, wherein the display unit is configured to reproduce the predetermined number of gradations of colors at a maximum.
The projector apparatus, using light pulses from multiple colored light sources to display images and creating a predetermined number of color gradations as previously described, includes a display unit. This display unit forms the image using the modulated light beams. The display unit is designed to reproduce the full range of color gradations made possible by the pulsed light sources, up to the maximum number of gradations the system is capable of generating, ensuring optimal image fidelity.
7. The projector apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to narrow the pulse width of a light pulse of a light source other than a light source having a minimum illumination value if it is determined that the illumination values of all the group of light sources are smaller than the predetermined value.
The projector apparatus described previously, which projects images using light pulses from multiple colored light sources and adjusts pulse widths based on measured illumination values, if *all* of the light source illumination values are below the target value, the controller narrows the pulse width of all light sources *except* for the dimmest one. This approach preserves the overall brightness of the image as much as possible while maintaining relative color balance by reducing the contribution of the brighter colors towards the dimmest color.
8. The projector apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to narrow the pulse width of a light pulse of a light source having an illumination value that is not smaller than the predetermined value so that a total chromaticity of the light beams of the plurality of color components is balanced in one frame.
The projector apparatus described previously, which projects images using light pulses from multiple colored light sources and adjusts pulse widths based on measured illumination values, adjusts pulse widths of brighter colors not below the target illumination value to maintain a balanced overall color (chromaticity) in each frame. This ensures that the projected image's colors remain consistent, preventing discoloration that might arise from differences in the light output of each color component.
9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a program stored thereon for use with a projector apparatus comprising a group of light sources configured to emit light beams of a plurality of color components, and a projection unit configured to project an image using the light beams from the group of light sources, the program controlling a computer of the projector apparatus to perform functions comprising: driving the group of light sources so that the light beams are emitted as light pulses having respective pulse widths for a period in which the projection unit projects the image; controlling the pulse widths of the light pulses emitted from the group of light sources; and measuring illumination values of the group of light sources for each of the plurality of color components, wherein controlling the pulse widths comprises: determining whether the illumination value for each of the plurality of color components is smaller than a predetermined value; and narrowing the pulse width of a light pulse of a light source in the group of light sources that is determined to have an illumination value that is not smaller than the predetermined value if it is determined that an illumination value of another light source in the group of light sources is smaller than the predetermined value.
A computer program controls a projector with multiple colored light sources. The program drives the light sources to emit light pulses with specific durations. It measures the light output of each color. To compensate for dimming, it compares each color's light output to a target. If one color's output is below target, it reduces the duration of the brighter colors. The program controls the durations by determining if each color's brightness is below a target level. If a color is not below the target and another color *is* below the target, the program reduces the duration of the brighter color.
10. A method for a projector apparatus comprising a group of light sources configured to emit light beams of a plurality of color components, and a projection unit configured to project an image using the light beams from the group of light sources, the method comprising: driving the group of light sources so that the light beams are emitted as light pulses having respective pulse widths for a period in which the projection unit projects the image; controlling the pulse widths of the light pulses emitted from the group of light sources; and measuring illumination values of the group of light sources for each of the plurality of color components, wherein controlling the pulse widths comprises: determining whether the illumination value for each of the plurality of color components is smaller than a predetermined value; and narrowing the pulse width of a light pulse of a light source in the group of light sources that is determined to have an illumination value that is not smaller than the predetermined value if it is determined that an illumination value of another light source in the group of light sources is smaller than the predetermined value.
A method for a projector with multiple colored light sources involves driving the light sources to emit light pulses with specific durations, projecting the image using the light pulses, measuring the light output of each color. To compensate for dimming, it compares each color's light output to a target. If one color's output is below target, it reduces the duration of the brighter colors. The method controls the durations by determining if each color's brightness is below a target level. If a color is not below the target and another color *is* below the target, the method reduces the duration of the brighter color.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
June 25, 2012
July 16, 2013
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